Richard Morton admits it would be easy to turn his back on Bradford.

The city hasn't exactly enjoyed a good press in recent years, and investor confidence has received more knocks than anywhere could be expected to take on the chin.

Yorkshire Forward's funding bombshell which jeopardised the massive £200 million shopping scheme for Broadway was just the latest in a string of prestigious projects to fall into doubt.

But Mr Morton, a director of Landmark Developments, is only too proud to speak of the £20 million his firm has pumped into Bradford in recent years.

And he's positively brimming with enthusiasm when asked about the additional £30 to £40 million in planned projects he has got lined up for the city.

From his office block in Leeds city centre, Mr Morton does not have to look too far to see what can be achieved with a bit of investment and commercial confidence.

So it's heartening for Bradford that this man is on a mission to see the city go some way to catching up with its go-ahead neighbour.

Landmark, which has a turnover of £40 million per annum, is the firm that was brave enough to invest in Bradford's first city centre living scheme. It was the firm which decided Little Germany was an area ripe for development. And it was the firm responsible for a string of speculative retail, office and leisure schemes which have been proudly displaying 'sold' signs outside.

For Mr Morton, the success of one of Landmark's smaller investments - a speculative industrial and office development off Rooley Lane - was telling of what could be achieved in the city.

Last week, the Telegraph & Argus revealed the final unit of the development had been snapped-up by a small hotel group.

"The Parkside Court development at Rooley Lane is an excellent example of what can be achieved with positive investment in the city," said Mr Morton.

"This area of Bradford provides an excellent location for businesses, hotels and leisure use and will create new jobs for the area.

"Our ongoing speculative investment into Bradford in office, industrial and residential schemes, continues to show that there are many positive things happening in the city."

It is not just new-build schemes which Landmark, which was formed back in 1973, has been associated with.

The £4.5 million development of the listed Colonial Building in the Goitside area has been regarded as one of the key regeneration projects in that part of the city. It will provide commercial occupiers with high standard offices with reception facilities, flexible accommodation, and meeting rooms.

"Over the last three years Landmark has invested approximately £20 million in the regeneration of Bradford with plans for a further £30-£40 million of investments over the next three years," said Mr Morton.

"There are several opportunities in the Bradford area that have previously been ignored. At Landmark we are keen to work towards the regeneration of the city and are attracted to the reasonable land prices as well as the support and enthusiasm of the local council."

But it is the drive to bring city living to Bradford which has been Landmark's most notable success to date.

The original conversion of former council offices in Ivegate into city centre apartments was soon followed by a similar scheme in nearby Broadway. The firm has now developed 104 one and two-bedroom apartments, with prices ranging from £55,000 to £80,000.

"The first scheme proved so successful that we built a second phase worth £6 million. Hopefully our success will encourage others to move their own investment plans forward and be supported by the local authority and the business community as a whole.

"These schemes have attracted young professionals into the city and people are re-locating from the outskirts and reaping the benefits of living and working in the city. The intrinsic sense of life and vitality which is brought about by city centre living will further enhance the impact of these developments and create a new sense of civic pride."

And Mr Morton said the development of similar accommodation in Little Germany had also proved a "sound investment".

But the plans don't stop there.

Landmark is already committed to a new office building at the Bradford Interchange site, where construction is due to begin next month, and the planned business park on the site of the West Bowling Golf Club.

Mr Morton said the sale of its new 60,000sq ft unit at the Euroway Court Industrial Estate off the M606 to computer components firm UFP Ltd showed such developments were in demand.

"I believe that several firms are keen to relocate and expand in and around the Bradford area and therefore feel it is essential that land is made available for such progression," he said.

"Euroway Court is one of several projects Landmark is undertaking in the Bradford Metropolitan area and the company is keen to continue looking for further opportunities in Bradford. It is a city which has turned the corner and is attracting inward investment once again.